So, today I
had the 19th radiation treatment for my prostate cancer. Yesterday
after my treatment I visited with the doctor. I asked him about a couple of
symptoms that I am experiencing, more fatigue and a new problem; weakness. He
said that both are normal. The weakness, which he correctly mentioned were in
my hips and shoulders are most likely due to the shot that I get to kill my
testosterone. He said that if the problem continues that they may have to cut
back to continuing the shots for only 18 months, rather than the 24 to 36
months that were originally planned.
I also got
another surprise change in my treatment plan. I told him that I only had 7 more
treatments to go, and he corrected me; telling me that I was going to have to
go through the complete 40 treatment course. Evidently, since I’m a “big guy”
in his words, the higher dosage of radiation tends to burn the skin and does
not penetrate sufficiently as it would on a smaller person. He had thought that
someone had told me and apologized. Needless to say, the apology did not make
me feel any better. Instead of just a little over a week before being through,
I now have to wait until December 14th for my last treatment. At
least, I HOPE that will be the last
day! I will have to have a new CT scan and more tests to ensure that it is gone
or cured.
I’m sleeping
9 or 10 hours a night, interrupted by a couple of trips to the bathroom each
night, then I tend to doze in my recliner off and on the rest of the day. My
trip to get my treatment daily is pretty much my only excursion from the house,
other than our Saturday errands or to get prescriptions from the pharmacy.
Obviously, this has killed my part-time job; and that worries me greatly. While
I was at the doctor’s office, I asked why I hadn’t received a bill for my treatments
or visits with the doctor yet and was told that they send out one after I
finish up. I suppose that it doesn’t matter much whether I get one BIG bill or
a bunch of little ones, so we’ll see about that when the time comes.
All in all,
I feel fairly good all things considered. I’m 65, so I don’t expect too much
anyway. The aches and pains that go along with my age just serve to remind me
that I’ve been lots of places and done lots of things. I’ve got a fantastic family
and lots of people rooting for me, so I know that I can and will beat this
thing!
Thank you
for visiting my blog, and again I can’t thank everyone enough for the kind
words and well wishes. Your support means more to me than I can ever repay.
